Animal shelter and feed dispenser

Abstract

An improved animal shelter having a feed dispenser is provided wherein the feed dispenser is disposable on one of the side walls, and preferably forms one of the sidewalls of the improved animal shelter. The feed dispenser includes a body member having a cavity formed wherein, the cavity extending from an upper end of the body member to the lower end of the body member. A feed trough is disposed adjacent the lower end of the body member so as to be in open communication with the cavity formed in the body member. Thus, animal feed can be disposed in the cavity of the body portion and stored therein for delivery to the feed trough.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. An improved animal shelter comprising: a floor;   a first side wall having a first side, a second side, an upper end, a lower end, a first end, and a second end, the first side wall being connected to the floor via the lower end thereof such that the first side wall is disposed substantially perpendicular to the plane of the floor;   a second side wall having a first side, a second side, an upper end, a lower end, a first end and a second end, the second side wall being connected to the floor via the lower end thereof such that the second side wall is disposed substantially perpendicular to the plane of the floor in a parallel, spatial relationship with the first side wall;   a rear wall having a first side, a second side, an upper end, a lower end, a first end and a second end, the rear wall being disposed between the first and second side walls and interconnecting the second ends of the first and second side walls;   a feed dispenser assembly having an opening extending therethrough, the feed dispenser assembly having an upper end, a lower end, a first end and a second end, the feed dispenser assembly further characterized as having a cavity formed in at least a portion thereof, the cavity extending through the feed dispenser assembly from the upper end to the lower end, the feed dispenser assembly being disposed between the first and second side walls and forming the front wall of the shelter; and   a roof positionable upon and supported by the upper end of each of the first side walls, the second side wall, and the rear wall.   
     
     
       2. The animal shelter of claim 1 wherein the floor, the first side wall, the second side wall, and the rear wall are of unitary construction. 
     
     
       3. The animal shelter of claim 2 which further comprises channel-forming means formed on the first and second side walls for slidably receiving the feed dispenser and stabilizing the feed dispenser between the first and second side walls. 
     
     
       4. The animal shelter of claim 3 wherein the channel-forming means comprises: a first flange disposed on the first end of the first side wall such that the first flange extends from the second side of the first side wall and is disposed substantially perpendicular to the plane of the first side wall;   a second flange disposed on the second side of the first side wall in a parallel, spatial relationship with the first flange of the first side wall, the first and second flanges of the first side wall cooperating with a portion of the first side wall disposed therebetween to form a channel for slidably receiving one of the feed dispenser;   a first flange disposed on the first end of the second side wall such that the first flange extends from the first side of the second side wall and is disposed substantially perpendicular to the plane of the second side wall; and   a second flange disposed on the first side of the second side wall in a parallel, spatial relationship with the first flange of the second side wall, the first and second flanges of the second side wall cooperating with a portion of the second side wall disposed therebetween to form a channel for slidably receiving a second end of the feed dispenser.   
     
     
       5. The animal shelter of claim 4 which further comprises: an angularly-disposed member formed along the upper ends of the first side wall, the rear wall, the second side wall and extending between the first flange of the first side wall and the first flange of the second side wall, the angularly-disposed member extending in a downward, outward direction from the walls so as to provide the animal shelter with an overhang portion, the angularly-disposed member further characterized as having a recess formed along an interior perimeter thereof, the recess being adapted to receive the roof of the animal shelter.   
     
     
       6. The animal shelter of claim 5 wherein the roof comprises: a first member having a forward end and a rearward end;   a second member having a forward end and a rearward end; and   hinge means for connecting the forward end of the first member to the rearward end of the second member.   
     
     
       7. The animal shelter of claim 6 which further comprises a bowl positionable on the first member of the roof. 
     
     
       8. The animal shelter of claim 4 wherein the roof comprises: a first member having a lower side, an upper side, a forward end, a first end, a rearward end, and a second end;   a second member having a lower side, an upper side, a forward end, a first end, a rearward end and a second end; and   hinge means for pivotally connecting the forward end of the first member to the rearward end of the second member.   
     
     
       9. The animal shelter of claim 8 wherein the roof further comprises: a first angularly-disposed member disposed along the first end, the rearward end, and the second end of the first member, the first angularly-disposed member extending from the first member in a downwardly direction away from the first side wall, the second side wall, and the rear wall; and   a second angularly-disposed member disposed along the first end, the forward end and the second end of the second member, the second angularly-disposed member extending from the second member in a downwardly direction away from the first side wall, the second side wall and the feed dispenser when the animal shelter is in the assembled position.   
     
     
       10. The animal shelter of claim 8 wherein the lower side of the first member of the roof disposed adjacent the upper end of the first side wall, the second side wall, and the rear wall when the first member is positioned and supported thereon is provided with a groove which is adapted to receive the upper end of the first side wall, the second side wall, and the rear wall to secure the first member of the roof thereon. 
     
     
       11. The animal shelter of claim 10 which further comprises a bowl positionable on the upper side of the first member of the roof. 
     
     
       12. The animal shelter of claim 1 wherein the feed dispenser assembly comprises: a body member having an upper end and a lower end, the body member further characterized as having a cavity formed therein, the cavity extending from the upper end of the body member to the lower end; and   a feed trough assembly having a cavity formed therein which openly communicates with the cavity in the body member, the feed trough assembly being disposed adjacent the lower end of the body member and extending a distance from the body member such that a portion of the cavity in the trough assembly is accessible to an animal.   
     
     
       13. The improved animal shelter of claim 12 wherein the body member of the feed dispenser comprises: a first side wall;   a substantially parallel, spatially disposed second side wall;   a first end wall; and,   a spatially disposed second end wall, the first side wall, the first end wall, the second side wall and the second end wall being connected such that the body member is provided with a rectangular-shaped configuration having the cavity formed therein.   
     
     
       14. The improved animal shelter of claim 13 wherein the opening extending through the feed dispenser is formed through the first and second side walls of the body member, and wherein the body member further comprises: partition means disposed between the first and second side members and around the opening formed therein for sealing the cavity in the body member from the opening extending therethrough, the partition means dividing the cavity in the body member into a first cavity portion and a second cavity portion.   
     
     
       15. The improved animal shelter of claim 14 wherein the partition means disposed between the first and second side walls of the body member along an upper portion of the opening formed therethrough cooperates with one of the first and second end walls, and the first and second side walls to support a water-dispensing assembly in one of the first and second portions of the cavity within the body member. 
     
     
       16. The improved animal shelter of claim 15 wherein the trough assembly comprises: a first trough disposed adjacent the lower end of the body member and openly communicating with the first portion of the cavity; and   a second trough disposed adjacent the lower end of the body member and openly communicating with the second portion of the cavity formed therein.   
     
     
       17. The improved animal shelter of claim 16 wherein the second side wall of the body member is provided with a pair of arcuate-shaped openings in the lower end thereof, one of the arcuate-shaped openings being positioned above the first trough, the second of the arcuate-shaped openings being positioned above the second trough. 
     
     
       18. The improved animal shelter of claim 1 which further comprises: first connecting means for connecting the lower end of the first side wall, the second side wall, and the rear wall to the floor; and   second connecting means for connecting the first and second ends of the rear wall to the second ends of the first and second side walls.   
     
     
       19. The improved animal shelter of claim 18 wherein the floor is a substantially rectangular-shaped member having a first side, a second side, a forward end, a first end, a rearward end, and a second end, and the first connecting means comprises: a first ridge disposed on the first side of the floor along the first end, the rearward end, and the second end thereof, the first ridge being disposed substantially perpendicular to the plane of the floor, the first ridge having a channel formed therein, the channel being adapted to receive the lower end of each of the first and second side walls and the lower end of the rear wall for securing the first and second side walls and the rear wall to the floor in a substantially perpendicular position with respect to the floor.   
     
     
       20. The improved animal shelter of claim 18 wherein the second connecting means comprises: a first pair of parallel, spatially disposed flanges formed on the first end of the rear wall such that the first pair of flanges extend therefrom in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the rear wall, the first pair of flanges cooperating with the portion of the rear wall disposed therebetween to form a groove which is adapted to receive the second end of the first side wall and secure the first side wall to the first end of the rear wall; and   a second pair of parallel, spatially disposed flanges formed on the second end of the rear wall such that the second pair of flanges extend therefrom in the same direction as the first pair of flanges, the second pair of flanges extending from the rear wall in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the rear wall, the second pair of flanges cooperating with the portion of the rear wall disposed therebetween to form a groove which is adapted to receive the second end of the second side wall and secure the second side wall to the second end of the rear wall.   
     
     
       21. The improved animal shelter of claim 19 which further comprises: a second ridge having a first end and a second end, the second ridge being disposed on the first side of the floor and extending along a portion of the forward end of the floor; and   a third ridge having a first end and a second end, the third ridge being disposed on the first side of the floor and extending along a second portion of the forward edge of the floor, the second and third ridges being aligned one with another in a spatial relationship such that a central opening is formed therebetween, the central opening substantially corresponding to the width of the opening in the body member of the feed dispensing assembly, the first end of the second ridge abutting the first ridge disposed along the first side of the floor and terminating at the forward end thereof, the second end of the third ridge abutting the first ridge disposed along the second side of the floor and terminating at the forward end thereof.   
     
     
       22. The improved animal shelter of claim 2 which further comprises: a first beam disposed on the first side of the floor, the first beam having a first end and a second end, the first end of the first beam abutting the second end of the second ridge, the first beam being disposed on the first side of the floor such that the elongated axis of the first beam is substantially perpendicular to the elongated axis of the second ridge;   a second beam disposed on the first side of the floor in a parallel, spatial relationship with the second ridge, the first end of the second beam abutting a portion of the first ridge disposed along the first side of the floor, the second end of the second beam abutting the second end of the first beam, the first beam, the second beam, the second ridge, and the portion of the first ridge disposed along the first side of the floor between the second beam and the second ridge cooperating to form a recessed portion therebetween, the recessed portion being adapted to receive a lower portion of the first trough of the feed dispensing assemnbly when the feed dispensing assembly is in the assembled position with the first and second side walls of the animal shelter.   
     
     
       23. The improved animal shelter of claim 22 which further comprises: a third beam disposed on the first side of the floor, the third beam having a first end and a second end, the first end of the third beam abutting the first end of the third ridge, the third beam being disposed on the first side of the floor such that the elongated axis of the third beam is substantially perpendicular to the elongated axis of the third ridge;   a fourth beam disposed on the first side of the floor in a parallel, spatial relationship with the third ridge, the first end of the fourth beam abutting the second end of the third beam, the second end of the fourth beam abutting a portion of the first ridge disposed along the second side of the floor, the third beam, the fourth beam, the third ridge, and the portion of the first ridge disposed along the second side of the floor between the fourth beam and the third ridge cooperating to form a recessed portion therebetween, the recessed portion being adapted to receive a lower portion of the second trough of the feed dispensing assembly when the feed dispensing assembly is in the assembled position with the first and second side walls of the animal shelter.   
     
     
       24. The animal shelter of claim 1 wherein the roof comprises: a first member having a lower side, an upper side, a forward end, a first end, a rearward, and a second end;   a second member having a lower side, an upper side, a forward end, a first end, a rearward end and a second end; and   hinge means for pivotally connecting the forward end of the first member to the rearward end of the second member.   
     
     
       25. The animal shelter of claim 24 wherein the roof further comprises: a first angularly-disposed member disposed along the first end, the rearward end, and the second end of the first member, the first angularly-disposed member extending from the first member in a downwardly direction away from the first side wall, the second side wall, and the rear wall; and   a second angularly-disposed member disposed along the first end, the forward end and the second end of the second member, the second angularly-disposed member extending from the second member in a downwardly direction away from the first side wall, the second side wall and the feed dispenser when the animal shelter is in the assembled position.   
     
     
       26. The animal shelter of claim 25 further comprising a bowl positioned on the upper side of the first member of the roof. 
     
     
       27. The animal shelter of claim 26 further comprising stabilizing means positioned on the upper side of the first member of the roof to secure and stabilize the bowl. 
     
     
       28. The animal shelter of claim 27 wherein the stabilizing means is a recessed portion formed in the upper side of the first member of the roof, the recessed portion adapted to receive a lower end portion of the bowl. 
     
     
       29. The animal shelter of claim 27 wherein the stabilizing means is a rim disposed on the upper side of the first member of the roof, the rim receiving a lower end portion of the bowl. 
     
     
       30. The animal shelter of claim 18 which further comprises channel-forming means formed on the first and second side walls for slidably receiving the feed dispenser and stabilizing the feed dispenser between the first and second side walls. 
     
     
       31. The animal shelter of claim 30 wherein the channel-forming means comprises: a first flange disposed on the first end of the first side wall such that the first flange extends from the second side of the first side wall and is disposed substantially perpendicular to the plane of the first side wall;   a second flange disposed on the second side of the first side wall in a parallel, spatial relationship with the first flange of the first side wall, the first and second flanges of the first side wall cooperating with a portion of the first side wall disposed therebetween to form a channel for slidably receiving one of the feed dispenser;   a first flange disposed on the first end of the second side wall such that the first flange extends from the first side of the second side wall and is disposed substantially perpendicular to the plane of the second side wall; and   a second flange disposed on the first side of the second side wall in a parallel, spatial relationship with the first flange of the second side wall, the first and second flanges of the second side wall cooperating with a portion of the second side wall disposed therebetween to form a channel for slidably receiving a second end of the feed dispenser.   
     
     
       32. The improved animal shelter of claim 31 wherein the floor is a substantially rectangular-shaped member having a first side, a second side, a forward end, a first end, a rearward end, and a second end, and the first connecting means comprises: a ridge disposed on the first side of the floor, the ridge being disposed substantially perpendicular to the plane of the floor and extending along the forward end, the first end, the rearward end and the second end of the floor; and   ridge engaging means disposed on the first side wall, the rear wall and the second side wall for engaging the ridge to secure the first side wall, the rear wall and the second side wall to the floor.   
     
     
       33. The improved animal shelter of claim 32 wherein the ridge engaging means comprises a flange having a ridge engaging channel formed therein. 
     
     
       34. The improved animal shelter of claim 32 wherein the flange disposed on the first side wall extends between the second end of the first side wall and the second flange of the channel forming means of the first side wall. 
     
     
       35. The improved animal shelter of claim 32 wherein the flange disposed on the second side wall extends between the second end of the second side wall and the second flange of the channel forming means of the first side wall. 
     
     
       36. The improved animal shelter of claim 18 wherein the second connecting means comprises: a first flange disposed on the second end of the first side wall, and extending therefrom such that in an assembled position of the first side wall, the rear wall, and the floor, the first flange engages the first end of the rear wall; and   a second flange disposed on the second end of the second side wall and extending therefrom such that in an assembled position of the second side wall, the rear wall, and the floor the second flange engages the second end of the rear wall.   
     
     
       37. The animal shelter of claim 32 wherein the ridge disposed along the forward end of the floor is provided with an opening in a central portion thereof and wherein the feed dispenser assembly comprises: a body member having an upper end and a lower end, the body member further characterized as having a cavity formed therein, the cavity extending from the upper end of the body member to the lower end; and   a feed trough assembly having a cavity formed therein which openly communicates with the cavity in the body member, the feed trough assembly being disposed adjacent the lower end of the body member and extending a distance from the body member such that a portion of the cavity in the trough assembly is accessible to an animal.   
     
     
       38. The improved animal shelter of claim 37 wherein the body member of the feed dispenser comprises: a first side wall;   a substantially parallel, spatially disposed second side wall;   a first end wall; and,   a spatially disposed second end wall, the first side wall, the first end wall, the second side wall and the second end wall being connected such that the body member is provided with a rectangular-shaped configuration having the cavity formed therein.   
     
     
       39. The improved animal shelter of claim 38 wherein the opening extending through the feed dispenser is formed through the first and second side walls of the body member, and wherein the body member further comprises: partition means disposed between the first and second side members and around the opening formed therein for sealing the cavity in the body member from the opening extending therethrough, the partition means dividing the cavity in the body member into a first cavity portion and a second cavity portion.   
     
     
       40. The improved animal shelter of claim 39 wherein the partition means disposed between the first and second side walls of the body member along an upper portion of the opening formed therethrough cooperates with one of the first and second end walls, and the first and second side walls to support a water-dispensing assembly in one of the first and second portions of the cavity within the body member. 
     
     
       41. The improved animal shelter of claim 40 wherein the trough assembly comprises: a first trough disposed adjacent the lower end of the body member and openly communicating with the first portion of the cavity; and   a second trough disposed adjacent the lower end of the body member and openly communicating with the second portion of the cavity formed therein.   
     
     
       42. The improved animal shelter of claim 41 wherein the first trough is provided with a ridge engaging channel therein and the second trough is provided with a ridge engaging channel therein, the ridge engaging channel of the first trough adapted to engage one portion of the ridge disposed along the forward end of the floor, and the ridge engaging channel of the second trough adapted to engage the other portion of the ridge disposed along the forward end of the floor when the trough assembly is positioned between the first and second side walls of the animal shelter. 
     
     
       43. The animal shelter of claim 42 wherein the roof comprises: a first member having a forward end and a rearward end;   a second member having a forward end and a rearward end; and   hinge means for connecting the forward end of the first member to the rearward end of the second member.   
     
     
       44. The animal shelter of claim 43 which further comprises a bowl positionable on the first member of the roof. 
     
     
       45. The animal shelter of claim 42 wherein the roof comprises: a first member having a lower side, an upper side, a forward end, a first end, a rearward end, and a second end;   a second member having a lower side, an upper side, a forward end, a first end, a rearward end and a second end; and   hinge means for pivotally connecting the forward end of the first member to the rearward end of the second member.   
     
     
       46. The animal shelter of claim 45 wherein the roof further comprises: a first angularly-disposed member disposed along the first end, the rearward end, and the second end of the first member, the first angularly-disposed member extending from the first member in a downwardly direction away from the first side wall, the second side wall, and the rear wall; and   a second angularly-disposed member disposed along the first end, the forward end and the second end of the second member, the second angularly-disposed member extending from the second member in a downwardly direction away from the first side wall, the second side wall and the feed dispenser when the animal shelter is in the assembled position.   
     
     
       47. A feed dispensing assembly for a pet shelter wherein the pet shelter includes a plurality of side walls interconnected to form an interior space adapted to receive a pet, one of the side walls having an entry opening of a size sufficient to allow the pet to enter and exit the pet shelter, and a roof structure disposed on the side walls, one of the side walls including the feed dispensing assembly which comprises: a body member having an upper end and a lower end, the body member further characterized as having a cavity formed therein, the cavity extending from the upper end of the body member to the lower end; and   a feed trough assembly having a first end and a second end, the feed trough further characterized as having a cavity formed therein, the first end of the feed trough being disposed adjacent the lower end of the body member such that in an assembled position the second end of the feed trough extends from the body member in a direction substantially perpendicular to the body member and the cavity of the feed trough assembly openingly communicates with the cavity of the body member, wherein the body member comprises:     a first side wall;   a substantially parallel, spatially disposed second side wall;   a first end wall; and   a spatially disposed second end wall, the first side wall, the first end wall, the second side wall and the second end wall being connected such that the body member is provided with a rectangular-shaped configuration having the cavity formed therein, and wherein the body member is provided with said entry opening therein, the opening being formed through the first and second side walls of the body member and the feed dispensing assembly is employed as the front wall of the shelter, the body member further comprises:     partition means disposed between the first and second side members and around the opening formed therein for sealing the cavity in the body member from the opening extending therethrough, the partition means dividing the cavity in the body member into a first cavity portion and a second cavity portion.   
     
     
       48. The feed dispensing assembly of claim 47 wherein the partition means disposed between the first and second side walls of the body member along an upper portion of the opening formed therethrough cooperates with one of the first and second end walls, and the first and second side walls to support a water-dispensing assembly in one of the first and second portions of the cavity within the body member. 
     
     
       49. The feed dispensing assembly of claim 48 wherein the trough assembly comprises: a first trough disposed adjacent the lower end of the body member and openly communicating with the first portion of the cavity; and   a second trough disposed adjacent the lower end of the body member and openly communicating with the second portion of the cavity formed therein.   
     
     
       50. The feeding dispensing assembly of claim 49 wherein the second side wall of the body member is provided with a pair of arcuate-shaped openings in the lower end thereof, one of the arcuate-shaped openings being positioned above the first trough, the second of the arcuate-shaped openings being positioned above the second trough.